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There is a member of our church, I’ll call him Joe, that is suffering from cancer of the throat and muscular dystrophy. A couple of years ago, I purchased a set of audio tapes of the Bible. Last year, I updated my car to a newer one and it only has a CD player, not a tape player.
I wondered for a while what to do with the 48 audio tapes. They take 77 hours to listen all the way through them. I’ve been through them twice.
It occurred to me, that Joe might enjoy them. I asked if he would be interested, and though he cannot talk, he indicated he would like them.
Yesterday I gave them to him. I specifically told him they were a gift not a loan. Since he cannot work, he probably sits home with nothing to do. I hope he enjoys them. He seemed genuinely pleased to get them.
This gets me on to a subject of which I have made a decision. Have you ever heard people ask, why does God allow so much suffering in the world? Well, I have an explanation. This is Bibical theology according to Ted, so be fore warned.
There is a passage John 9:1-7
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
I believe that God allows suffering in the world so that Christians that show they are Christians. This gets back to the Pastor’s sermon yesterday.
I’m not very good at that, but I do small things. Giving Joe the audio tapes was one thing I could do to help him. I have no power to help him physically, all I can do is comfort him.
We also frequently send him “Get-Well” cards. It is said that one of the true tests of grace is to do something for someone that cannot return the favor.
As I say, it is a small thing, but it is something. Joe looked like he was really pleased to get those tapes.
Posted by Ted at July 12, 2004 9:47 PM